CIS Department to Add A.I. Concentration to Major in Fall 2026
When the fall 2026 semester rolls around at Medgar Evers College, students studying for a major awarded by the Department of Computer Information Systems (CIS) will be able to fold a concentration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their degree. Housed within the School of Business, the mission of the CIS Department is to prepare students to design, build and implement technology solutions that are integral to the operations and infrastructure of businesses, nonprofits and government agencies. The idea of adding this concentration came up when Dr. David Ahn, Deputy Chair of the Department, along with CIS Department Chair, Dr. Adesina Fadairo, both participated in certification training for Designing and Building AI Products and Services at M.I.T.
“We wanted to offer our students something similar so they can have an early opportunity to enter this rapidly growing industry,” Ahn explained. “The AI was developing and evolving so rapidly that we initially waited to see what content would be most appropriate for our students. However, AI development is maturing much more quickly than we anticipated.”
Ahn added, “This was a strong opportunity to develop a full AI concentration, equipping our students with the expertise to contribute meaningfully to organizations while helping them advance to the next level of productivity and efficiency.”
Five specialized A.I. courses will be integrated with the existing CIS curriculum without increasing program length. They are:
- Introduction to AI and Machine Learning (CIS 341) – Covers supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning paradigms foundational to A.I.
- Algorithm Design and Neural Networks (CIS 342) – Focuses on computational foundations, neural networks and optimization techniques essential for A.I. development.
- Data Science and Predictive Analytics (CIS 343) – Teaches data science methodologies, predictive analytics and visualization to extract insights from data.
- Advanced NLP and Generative A.I. (CIS 414) – Explores natural language processing and generative A.I. techniques, preparing students for applied A.I. roles.
- I. Systems Integration—Capstone Course – Serves as the capstone, enabling students to integrate knowledge and develop comprehensive A.I.-driven systems and solutions.
The learning goals of this concentration include developing a strong understanding of AI concepts and applications, applying computational and algorithmic reasoning to design and evaluate AI-driven systems, integrating AI techniques with data analytics to enhance business intelligence and decision-making, and assessing the ethical implications of AI while communicating technical findings clearly and professionally. Together, these competencies prepare our graduates to be highly desirable candidates for organizations incorporating AI into their business operations, according to Ahn.
“Computer Information Systems programs at Medgar Evers College train students to understand technology and its real-world applications, preparing them to serve as a liaison between technical and non-technical stakeholders. In doing so, they create visual and analytical tools that support decision-makers. Traditionally, this role involved retrieving data from databases and generating reports for managers. Today, however, AI enables us to go further—leveraging intelligent systems to meet organizational needs more effectively and precisely.”
Implementation for this launch will include leveraging existing resources like faculty expertise, Python environments, data labs and cloud platforms like AWS Educate and Microsoft Azure. Comprehensive assessment will be a core drive and will include course evaluations, internship feedback and capstone project rubrics to ensure quality. Academic standards and industry relevance will be maintained while additional resource demands will be minimal.
Expected outcomes and career pathways for graduates of the AI concentration include industry partnerships and internships that enhance practical experience, opportunities for further education in AI and data science, and the development of market-ready AI skills grounded in strong ethical principles—significantly improving employability. Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers such as AI analyst, machine learning engineer, data scientist and AI systems integrator. Ahn also notes that this type of degree often leads to highly competitive and lucrative entry level starting salaries.
“We anticipate salaries in the range of approximately $145,000 to $200,000 annually. Currently, individuals with strong AI expertise and recognized industry credentials can command salaries ranging from $500,000 to $1 million per year.”
He added, “We feel that graduates majoring in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in AI with be in high demand. Many managers and startup founders simply do not have the time, given today’s 24-7 work environment, to independently learn and implement AI solutions. While they may be able to piece together what they need on their own, having a readily available expert who can provide informed guidance and real-time recommendations can significantly accelerate a company’s growth and innovation. Our students are well-suited to fill this role and we expect them to be in high demand.”
